Little Giraffe Library 长颈鹿图书馆 @ Batu 11, Cheras

Located at an interesting and unexpected place, Little Giraffe Library 长颈鹿图书馆 is a community library tucked away in Batu 11 New Village, Cheras. This place evoked a warm sense of nostalgic because I grew up in kampung and used to live in a similar wooden kampung house too!

Welcomed by a 20ft tall giraffe made of steel bars, the library’s facade is appeared in a cheerful pastel green, pink and brick red. There is an open car park further down the road (near a Chinese primary school), so parking isn’t a problem here.

The interior – It is an open space that divided the house into two parts—half of it is the library area, while the other half is furnished with some simple tables and stools made from recycled wood. Actually there are many recycled materials and items being used to transform the old kampung house into this library which oozing a rustic nostalgia charm.

The main reading area is filled with wooden tiered floors and book shelves. It’s a cozy space with many windows that allow sufficient sunlight to bask the place.

Story telling time

Not only is it filled with thoughtfully categorised children’s books (majority are Chinese books and small selection of English books), it is designed to promote children’s mental and character development with features such as a speakers’ corner and exhibition lane.

Another reading area.

We were seated at the dining area with platform and large windows. This section is used as cafe with one of the founders selling fruit rojak and the other making beverages and desserts to sustain the library’s operations, but patronage is not compulsory. It is also a place for parents to wait for their children, and an income stream to sustain the club.

The green plants at the small courtyard add liveliness to the library.

The platform seats at the outdoor and previously there were two big swings here.

Generously sprinkled with crushed peanuts, there were assorted of fruits such as green mango, papaya, pineapple, cucumber, water spinach (kangkung), crunchy Chinese crullers (You Tiao) and a piece of cracker, coated with thick, savoury and spicy Rojak sauce. It was not bad at all!

There was special hand brew coffee too for coffee aficionado.

Honduras El Guayabo (RM18.00)

Hubby had this special brew which came with two cups – porcelain and glass. According to the barista, drink the coffee with these two different cups will create different flavours and aromas.

Verdict: This community library is certainly a great place for kids to spend time instead of glueing themselves to the smartphones or tablets screen. Kudos to the peoples who contribute the effort to set up and maintain the library. The only downside is this place only equipped with ceiling fans, so it can be quite warm during the hot weather.

I’ve never had hand brewed coffee before (not sure if I’ll like it since my friend said she didn’t, so dare not try). What, you can get different flavours drinking the same coffee but from two different cups?!